Table 2 Systematic review: summary of efficacy results

Burgher [17]

Mean 4.5 months

Not reported

Not reported

Mean 45% (range: 20 to 80%) (n = 10)

All patients reported to be ‘somewhat’ or ‘very satisfied’ with outcome; 1/6 patients reported reduction in opiate intake

Campbell [12]

Mean 12.8 months

Not reported

Not reported

Not reported

0/10 achieved ‘excellent’ outcome on pain relief; 2/10 achieved ‘partial success’ of pain relief; 8/10 ‘failure’ of pain relief

Falco [16]

Mean 3 months

9.1 (1.1) (n = 18)

1.2 (1.0) (n = 18), <0.0001^a

Not reported

Pain medication usage dropped in 18/18 patients with 7/18 taking no pain medication; ODI: before treatment, mean 33.6 (SD 6.4) and after treatment, mean 19.7 (9.0)

Paicius [13]

Not reported

6.8 (2.3) (n = 6)

2.5 (0.6) (n = 4), 0.07^ab

Not reported

‘All patients experienced a significant….increase in their ability to function’

Sator-Katzenchlager [14]

3 months

FBSS 8.0 (1.4) (n = 37); LBP 8.3 (0.9) (n = 29)

FBSS 3.3 (2.1), <0.0001; LBP 4.2 (2.2) (n = 29), <0.0001

Not reported

Significant reduction in WHO analgesic medication score

Verrills [15, 19]

Mean 7.6 months

7.5 (1.2) (n = 28)

3.5 (2.0) (n = 28), <0.05

Mean 60% 16/23 (70%) ≥50% pain relief

2/23 (7%) increased capacity to perform work; 16/23 (70%) reduced analgesia; 20/23 (87%) ‘satisfied’ or better

Verrills [18, 19]

Mean 7.2 months

7.0 (1.3) (n = 44)

3.7 (2.6) (n = 44), <0.0001^ab

Not reported

Significant improvement (P <0.03) in disability as assessed by ODI

Yakovlev [20]

1 and 12 months

7.4 (1.0) (n = 18)

1 month 2.6 (0.8) (n = 18), <0.0001^ab; 12 months 1.7 (0.6) (n = 18), <0.0001^ab

18/18 (100%) ≥50% pain relief at 1 and 12 months

Decreased or discontinued use of pain medication 16/18 (89%)